PNE 1 Rotherham United 1
A stunning goal by Joe Garner just after half-time meant it was all to play for in the second leg at the New York Stadium.
Alex Revell gave the visitors the lead 21 minutes in, breaking down the left before driving into the box and firing low under Declan Rudd.
But Garner's sweet half volley into the top left hand corner in front of a jubilant Town End meant the tie was all-square heading over to South Yorkshire.
Manager Simon Grayson was without the injured Neil Kilkenny, meaning Alan Browne was selected in midfield, whilst Craig Davies came in up front to partner Joe Garner.
The atmosphere inside Deepdale was electric and the roof was almost lifted off after only 60 seconds as Joe Garner bundled his way through. There were strong shouts for a penalty, but eventually he had a chance to get a shot away, which shot deflected wide.
The game was a typical scrappy Play-Off affair, but some Gallagher quality from the left on 20 minutes saw the No.12 play a ball into Garner unmarked 15 yards out, however, the ball wouldn’t come down and Skarz cleared before the top scorer had a chance to test Collin.
And within 60 seconds the visitors were ahead. The Millers’ No.9 breaks down the left and into the box, Bailey Wright came across, but Revell played the ball under Rudd and into the net.
The visitors were working hard to keep North End at bay, but Garner was able to get a shot away from edge of ‘D’ from Lee Holmes’ ball, however, it was straight at Collin.
But on 49 minutes the Lilywhites were level and what a goal? The ball came in from right into the centre of the park about 25 yards out and Joe Garner chested it over one man and hit and volley that screamed over Collin and into the top left hand corner.
With ten minutes gone in the second half Declan Rudd was called into action with a brilliant save to deny Lee Frecklington who had gone through on goal again, this time in a right hand channel, but the keeper came out and made a superb block before Paul Gallagher and Scott Laird cleared up.
Rotherham’s Robert Milson drove wide with 25 minutes left after Revell and Thomas had both flicked on a ball from the right hand side just after both side’s made change with Keane and Kevin Davies on for Preston and ex-PNE man Claude Davis making it an all-former lilywhite pairing at centre half alongside Craig Morgan.
With ten minutes left Joe Garner was left in a heap in the penalty area by Claude Davis, but referee Iain Williamson saw nothing untoward.
Five minutes of stoppage time was added by the official and it was the visitors who almost snatched a lead in the final seconds as Decaln Rudd tipped Alex Revell's header over the bar, to keep the side's level going to the New York Stadium.
: Rudd, Clarke, Laird, Welsh, King, Wright, Holmes (Humphrey, 77), Browne (Keane, 62), Garner, C Davies (K Davies, 62), Gallagher. Subs not used: Stuckmann, Beavon, Buchanan, Wiseman.PNE line-up
: Collin, Brindley (O’Connor, 23), Skarz, Arnason, Frecklington (Davis, 62), Revell, Mislon, Pringle, Morgan, Thomas (Vuckic, 83), Tavernier. Subs not used: Shearer, Walker, Rowe, Hitchcock.Rotherham United line-up
: 17,221 (1,881 away fans)Attendance
: Mr I WilliamsonReferee